Tuesday, July 27, 1999 Published at 09:40 GMT 10:40 UKUK PoliticsAir traffic sale takes offAir traffic controllers' union opposes plans for privatisationThe UK Government has confirmed it plans to sell off the majority of the air traffic control system - Labour's first privatisation since coming to power.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said 51% of National Air Traffic Services would be sold to a private sector company.

The government is to retain a 49% "golden share" in the organisation and air safety regulation will be run independently. Up to 5% of shares for sale will be reserved for NATS staff.

Mr Prescott said unions and others had called for safety operations to be run separately for many years.

But the move to private ownership has provoked a hostile reaction from union officials who fear it could undermine air safety.

The deputy prime minister insisted the government had listened to these fears in the past year.

"Safety in the air remains the government's overriding priority and we are committed to ensuring that the UK's excellent safety record is maintained," he said.

"The government will have statutory powers to instruct NATS in the event of a crisis or for national security."

'Safety ethos will be eroded'

Staff will receive shares in National Air Traffic Services

But Paul Noon, general secretary of the IPMS union, which represents 3,500 air traffic controllers, said: "We've seen what has happened with the privatisation of rail, for instance, where there has been an increase in the number of safety-related incidents.

"We fear that happen with air traffic control. Over a period of time the present safety ethos which is there in the National Air Traffic Services will be eroded.

"The pressure for profit will undermine the basis of the safety-based organisation."

The former minister who first announced the privatisation last year has also revealed he has doubts about the whether a sell-off can provide sufficient guarantees on safety and security.

Gavin Strang MP said that the government's attempts to describe the sell-off as a "unique privatisation" rang true as no other country had privatised its air traffic control.

He said the sell-off was motivated by financial considerations when the over-riding view should be safety.